Not by the Hair on My Chiny Chin Chin

    My electric shaver died on me recently.  It started its decline last week when the battery charge faded just as I was ready to shave.  I had to wash the pre-shave treatment off my face and switch to my cartridge razor.  I used that razor the next few times, as I didn't like to charge my shaver unless I was there to watch over it for the over seven hours it takes to fully charge it.  The weekend came, and I plugged in the shaver to recharge it.  I noticed that it seemed to reach maximum charge a little sooner than normal, but I didn't think much of it at the time, as the shaver had always taken less time than recommended to recharge.  I went to use it for my next scheduled shave. (I almost never shave two days in a row, as I am prone to getting ingrown hairs.  It could be because of my sensitive skin, or the fact that no one ever taught me how to shave properly.  Yes, even after over thirty-five years, I still am not sure how to shave.  This shows the importance of learning how to shave from someone who knows and not just trying to find out on your own.) I put on the pre-shave treatment, again, only to see the 'low battery' light come on my shaver again.  I switched out to my cartridge razor, again.  I didn't have time to look over my razor until that night.  I tried 'topping off' the electric charge.  After about thirty minutes, the 'full charge' light stayed on, but the razor immediately switched back to the no-charge light when I went to turn it on.  I searched for the instruction manual to see if there were any trouble-shooting hints, but there weren't any.  I am going to look on the company's website for additional information, but it looks like I will have to get a new one.  I got my first electric shaver as a gift on my sixteenth birthday.  I would barely use it once a week for those first few months.  It was rechargeable, but I could use it plugged in as well.  I hated it, as it was hard to find the replacement parts for it. Still, it allowed me to shape my mustache that I grew as soon as I could. I got a new one in college.  Unfortunately, it was plug-in only, so that made it harder to use.  Especially since I starting growing a goatee, like most men my age back then. I kept that one for years, even after I started trying out cartridge razors in the late 90s.  I used to alternate between the two, before I went to using the cartridge exclusively in the 00s.  I switched over to my 'current' shaver after the only store that used to carry the replacement parts went out of business.  (Not to mention that I hadn't used the electric shaver in so long that, well, it was in no shape to use on skin any more.) When I got this one, I failed to notice that while it was rechargeable, one couldn't use it while plugged in.  So, I will have to buy a new shaver soon.  Immediately.  See, while I could use my cartridge razor in the meantime, my mother doesn't know I use one.  Yeah, I've kept that a secret from her for over twenty-five years.  It's been tricky having to find ways to buy supplies without her knowing.  It has gotten trickier since I had to upgrade from two-blades to triple-blade models.  (The same store that sold the parts for my electric shaver was also the only one to regularly stock my replacement cartridges.  At least cheaply, and without having to ask for help in getting them.) I have about two days research to find one I like and buy it before my beard grows out too much and starts looking wonky.  Admittedly, I regularly takes breaks like this so a can shave everything off, even my 'stache, so I can get everything clean and even again.  At least I didn't waste any money by ordering replacement blades online for my old shaver.  Yeah, local stores stopped stocking those parts last year.  I guess that it was just another sign that it was getting time to get a new one.